Hundreds of youths from Orlu local government area of Imo State under the auspices of Our Orlu (OOP) in collaboration with Orlu Equity Youths Movement (OETM) have called on the member representing Orlu State Constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Pascal Okolie to jettison his bid to return to the State House of Assembly, come 2023.
The youths made this known at the People’s Democratic Party PDP, State Secretariat along Okigwe Road Owerri yesterday, Thursday,April 14,during a protest. They disclosed that the second term bid of Hon. Pascal Okolie has become a big threat to Orlu PDP and the age long political arrangement between Isu and Orsu Clans that make up Orlu LGA.
Orlu youths who came out in their numbers were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions such as; “Orlu LGA rotation agreement stands 100%”, “Pascal Okolie, respect Orlu LGA written agreement on zoning”, “Hon. Pascal Okolie betrayed PDP when PDP needed him”, “It is the turn of Isu clan , and “Isu turn is not negotiable”, among other placards to press home their demands.
Speaking during the protest, the spokesperson for the group, Comr. Achi Nnamdi, Chairman, Our Orlu Project stated that PDP as a party will lose to another party in Orlu LGA if Hon. Okolie gets its ticket to contest again for the State House of Assembly seat as against the age long zoning arrangement which began since 1999.
Comr. Achi, said: “Hon. Pascal Okolie is not a reliable party member. He is known for defecting from one party to another, hence should not be trusted with the People’s Democratic Party’s ticket. It is on record that within a space of 6 months, Pascal Okolie defected from APGA to PDP from PDP to APC and back to PDP, what an inconsistent fellow”
Also contributing, the Chairman of Orlu Equity Movement, Anuebu Chidozie, reiterated the need for PDP to give its ticket for Orlu State Constituency Seat to a credible, competent and most preferred aspirant from Isu clan to represent the good people of Orlu state constituency, come 2023.
The protesting youths further called on the PDP leadership in the state ably led by Chief Engr. Charles Ugwu to see that the rotational agreement between Isu and Orsu clans upheld by the Orlu PDP Leaders during a well attended meeting of the LGA which took place at the residence of His Excellency Chief Dr. Achike Udenwa in Owerri on 3rd April 2022 and was presided over by Dr. Vin Udokwu where the current house of assembly member Orlu, Hon. Pascal Okolie was told by the PDP leaders never to re-contest, is adhered to, stressing that the past lawmakers from Orlu kept to the zoning arrangement made by the two clans since 1999.
Our Orlu Project and Orlu Equity Youth Movement also used the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction over Hon. Okolie’s performance at 9th Imo House of Assembly since his emergence as member representing Orlu State constituency.
Our Orlu Project and Orlu Equity Youth Movement also used the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction over his performance at 9th Imo House of Assembly since his emergence as member representing Orlu State constituency.
Addressing the protesting youths, the Deputy State Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Martin Ejiogu, commended the youths for conducting themselves in an orderly manner while making their demands.
He assured them that their demands will be looked into. Chief Ejiogu said: “PDP in Imo State will never give ticket to anybody rather people will go to the field, everybody must go to the field and if there is any zoning arrangement in Orlu LGA, it must be respected. We are a party in opposition and we will be guided by the constitution of the party, go home and forget about the rumours, the PDP that I am part of cannot give ticket anyhow, so if you have your PVC go and prepare for general election and if you don’t have, go and register, we are going to make sure your votes count”, he stated.
In his contribution, the PDP Youth Leader in the state, Mr. Greg Nwadike stated that PDP as a party has not given anybody ticket as its flag bearer for Orlu state constituency ahead of the forthcoming general election.
The state Youth Leader noted that the request of Orlu Youths and concern is genuine because he has enquired about the matter to know the truth because it was written and signed at the residence of Chief Ukagba, He reiterated that the State Working Committee directed all chapters of the party to maintain zoning arrangement where necessary and that SWC stands by that.